my philosophy

At Polysoma my philosophic values are inclusive and based on sexual freedom. I have reflected deeply about my belief systems. My values stem from these beliefs. These values are my world view. I use these to shape positive attitudes and behaviour regarding the work I do. Whether this be with clients or the broader community.

The foundation for my values start with, ‘what it means to be sexually healthy’. Sexual health is defined by the World Health Organisation as:

“…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.1

I expand on this definition, I believe in freedom of sexual expression and exploration. Sexual exploration should never be inhibited as this is detrimental to one’s sexual health. I believe in sex equality. I believe the human sexual being is fluid. I do not believe or support the politics of sexual identity as human sexuality should reflect a state of equality. I believe in the freedom to make sexual choices, that includes sexuality.

I believe every human being has the right to genital autonomy, and I support the right to genital autonomy. I am against any form of genital mutilation. I do not support any surgical procedure on genitals from infancy to an age where consent can be made freely and without influence; genital surgery should only be performed on infants and children if there is a life threatening and or a serious medical reason to do so.

The foundations for human sexual development begin by the exploration and stimulation of one’s genitals. This exploration starts in utero2 and continues throughout our lives as we learn about our own sexual responses and pleasures. I actively promote and believe in masturbation. I believe in the right to sexual pleasure. I believe masturbation and orgasms contribute to a healthy life. I support woman having the option to a safe orgasmic childbirth.

I support efforts to free human sexuality from politics and religion. I do not support sex negative behaviour and attitudes that repress or censor the sexual being. I believe every human has the right to contraception and make contraceptive choices. I do not support the intentional or the deliberate sexual harming of others (mental, physical and emotional or otherwise). I do not condone sexual harassment. I believe every human has the right to access sexual health and treatment services without judgement.

Sexual practices and expression throughout society should be safe, sane and consensual. I use and actively promote safe, sane and consensual foundations by Barratt:3

“…‘Safe’ – means that no physical or emotional harm is involved, and whatever risks there may be are deliberately minimised. ‘Sane’ – whatever activities involved, they are undertaken with awareness, and without coercion or compulsivity. ‘Consensual’ – that all persons involved are full free to give their consent, but also that all persons involved are of equal standing in their ability to consent.3

I support sex positive education that is open and honest. Such education should involve the teaching of safe sexual practices, human sexual differences, learning about sexual pleasure – anatomical and physiological responses, the varying types of human sexual relationships in society. I support ethically derived qualitative research regarding sexual lives and sexual experiences. I do not support the scientific categorisation of human sexual response or conditions.

notes

WHO (2006a). Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation on sexual health, 28–31 January 2002. Geneva, World Health Organization.